Monterey for the masses: the 2015 Owls Head Museum auction

Each August, classic car fans flock to the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine, for the annual New England Auto Auction. Think of it as the anti-Monterey, where cars are bought by those of modest means for the purpose of enjoyment, not investment. While this year did see a rare 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GTE sell for a fee-inclusive price of $228,800, the vast majority of lots sold for less money than the average used family sedan, including a few standouts in the sub-$10,000 price range.

1938 White COE flatbed.

Take this 1938 White Cab-Over flatbed truck, for example. A guaranteed stand-out at any vintage car show, could there be a better hauler for a pre-war classic car or race car (assuming, of course, that ramps or a tilt bed could be added)? The seller didn’t disclose what engine currently resides beneath the cab, nor did he list the mileage, but at a selling price of $4,950, does either really matter?

1958 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler.

On the opposite end of the size scale was this 1958 Morris Minor 1000 Traveler, described by the seller as in good to very good condition, with the exception of slight undercarriage rust and pitted chrome trim. Having passed a recent safety inspection, it’s likely that the woodie’s next owner can remediate any flaws after the driving season is over. The selling price? Just $7,700, including fees.

1966 Ford Mustang.

A triple black 1966 Ford Mustang coupe, said to benefit from a 2008 body restoration, sold for $9,900. Though likely not a show car, the Mustang appeared to be better than an average driver, and the 289 V-8 beneath the hood should provide ample entertainment for the car’s next owner, even mated to a Cruise-O-Matic transmission.

1955 Dodge Sierra.

Sometimes, two doors and four seats aren’t enough to get the job done, which explains the appeal of this 1955 Dodge Sierra station wagon, complete with the Super Red Ram V-8 beneath the hood. Described as in fair to good condition, this family hauler will likely need further restorative work to be a comfortable and reliable cross-country cruiser, but the selling price of $9,900 leaves room in the budget.

1953 Dodge Power Wagon.

Described as a “wonderful beast” by its current owner, this 1953 Dodge Power Wagon sold for $7,975. It began its service life in the United States Air Force, later became an airport crash truck and served out the rest of its commercial life as a brush truck for the Anson, Maine, fire department. Equipped with a 24-volt electrical system and an 8,000 pound PTO-driven winch, the Dodge has accumulated a mere 36,000 miles over the past six-plus decades, and just 3,000 miles since the engine was rebuilt.

1954 Mercury Monterey.

This 1954 Mercury Monterey sedan may look stock from the outside, but under its recently painted hood lurks a 351 Cleveland V-8, bolted to a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. That should provide noticeably more thrust than the sedan’s original 256-cu.in., 161-horsepower V-8, upping its entertainment value as a driver (but not as a show car). Described as very good to excellent throughout, the Mercury went to its new owner for $8,250.

Garlansays:

August 25, 2015 9:13 am

With cars selling for over $100,000 at this auction, it can hardly be called an auction for the “masses” unless you would consider those of us who bought cars under $20k members of the “poor” class! It was a great auction, fun and supporting a wonderful transportation museum. Good luck on future auctions….

Jeff Leesays:

August 25, 2015 9:42 am

Breaking news! ’68 Cougar tops ’68 Shelby GT500!
Yes I understand the rarity of the GT-E but dang, that’s a lot of money for a Cougar (and I’ve always liked the ’67-’68 Cougars over the Mustang notchbacks of the same era).

Tommy Msays:

August 25, 2015 9:50 am

Wow what a selection.#1 Power Wagon these things were wicked machines, practicaly unstopable.#2 White CO is a rare tuck. I have a shot at doing a 53 Ford CO, not sure I can handle doing one anymore. After that the rest are all nice I’d probably take the Dodge wagon. Really nice selection to pick from.Thanks

Bruce T.says:

August 25, 2015 10:11 am

Howard Arbituresays:

August 25, 2015 10:15 am

Thanks Kurt, for throwing the White in there for us old “gear jammers”. Such cool styling in the ’30’s. It looks like a model 800 series,( 810?) and probably had the White made, in line flathead 6, 110 hp.

geomechssays:

August 25, 2015 12:27 pm

Hi Howard. Can you imagine running a truck like that coast to coast? I look at those trucks and the engines that they used and think about those ultra-modern trucks today. We get guys in the shop running over 500 hp and are still complaining about power. I told one that he should be running a Cummins HB160 with a 4+4 transmission and see how much he appreciates his new truck after that.

Howard Arbituresays:

August 25, 2015 1:27 pm

Hi geomechs, yeah, a different time . Tell you what. Get the boss to keep one of these babies in the back as a loaner truck, and those spoiled brats will change their mind “toot sweet”. ( don’t forget the volume, you can hear it coming a mile away) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XG_JfyPdvE ( ahh, thanks, Kurt, I feel better already)

geomechssays:

August 25, 2015 2:47 pm

EEEEYeow!!!! Can you imagine living in one of those day in and day out? I almost needed my earplugs just to listen to that one. I well remember the GMC JJ9500 with 8V71 (318) that we used as an equipment transport. A good long day with that one and you were a case of Road Rage waiting to happen. I knew an O/O who hauled crude oil with one just like it, only a 6-71. I often wondered why he was such an ornery, obnoxious p#!#k, then we got ours.

My boss would occasionally want to play ‘Billie Big Rig, and he would take the GMC out. When he came back you didn’t want to talk to him… Come to think about it, you didn’t want to talk to him before he went out either…

John C. Kovalosays:

August 25, 2015 10:51 am

I originally discovered Owl’s Head Transportation Museum as a time-filler during our Nyew England Road Trip and realized what a wonderful and special place it was.

They had things such as an ultra-rare Scripps-Booth and a stunning Panhard et Lavassor, not to mention the biggest collection of MGs you’ve ever seen. Aviation-wise, they had a reconstructed early winged “flyer” [it never did] with actual feathers filling its wings [!], plus a reconstruction of an extinct World War ONE – Era bomber built in California and FLOWN to Maine!

But most of all, the staff had a great attitude and sense of dedication that made a visit unforgettable.

This auction is proof of this; the high-end cars are still small change for the Velvet Rope crowd, and the lower end ones include some MARVELOUS finds for some lucky buyers! That Miniwoodie? That ’54 Merc? Who WOULDN’T welcome that to their garage?

Rainmansays:

August 26, 2015 3:16 pm

I had a similiar experience last year. My friend and I visited the museum in October. There were some very interesting vehicles and a huge steam engine beautifully restored. We enjoyed a demonstration ride in an early Ford touring car.

Roberto Rodriguezsays:

August 25, 2015 11:17 am

Follow the link above to the Owls Head website and download the auction results, you will be amazed at how many terrific buys there were. You will want to travel to Maine next year for this great event.

Kensays:

August 25, 2015 12:03 pm

If they got rid of all the “safety” crap (shrapnel-spraying air bags, side-guard door beams, roof reinforcements, etc), no reason a 2015 Mustang couldn’t weigh 2,700 pounds or less. But in the current climate of “if it saves even ooooone life, it’s worth it”, you know that’s not going to happen.

geomechssays:

August 25, 2015 12:22 pm

I’ve got to side with Howard and say that the White truck is a sight for sore eyes. Vehicles of the 30s will always be my favorite. I’d like to take something like that home with me, but there’s always that space situation at my place.

Robert Daivssays:

August 25, 2015 1:35 pm

Tony H.says:

August 27, 2015 12:43 pm

I agreed completely. The title of this article had me looking for the unsubscribe link. Frankly Hemmings it’s not as if you are Sports Car Digest or something, where do you get off calling anyone “the masses”.

Kurt Ernstsays:

August 27, 2015 1:27 pm

Tony H., I still struggle to see how my headline could have offended anyone. Have you been to the Monterey auctions? With a few exceptions, such as a limited number of cars crossing the block at Mecum or at Russo and Steele, the California auctions are priced well beyond the means of the average hobbyist. The average transaction price in Monterey this year was $479,557, which isn’t in the affordable range for anyone I know.

Owls Head, on the other hand, offered a diverse selection of cars at multiple price points, from four to six digits. That certainly fits my interpretation of “the masses” more than Monterey.

Jeffsays:

August 25, 2015 1:40 pm

Christopher Gushsays:

August 25, 2015 1:44 pm

Sitting through the sale of 200 cars, it was interesting to note the overpayment of many of these cars. Published figures, had no bearing what so ever. Amazing. The sale of the cougar was ridiculous. Reviewing this car, it went into the auction with a broken timing gear, bent pushrods, which thankfully was corrected just prior to crossing the block. Overall condition was marginal at best. A proper restoration of this car will exceed $100K and what are you left with. The buyer clearly overpaid, and was swayed by the hype. I was delighted for the museum that the cars achieved such high numbers, however the buyers, from my discussion with them felt prices were exorbitant and unrealistic. The two auctioneers were hot and cold, the first gentleman, spectacular, followed by a somewhat anemic uninspiring performance of the second gentleman to ascend the stage.
The auction went off without a hitch and was done in a fabulous organized manner. The staff is to be congratulated. The addition of a bar servicing alcohol I’m sure helped in achieving higher prices on the block. Everyone was happy. Looking forward to next years event. It gets better every year.

August 25, 2015 3:19 pm

Fred Puhnsays:

August 25, 2015 5:57 pm

As a proud owner of a Morris Minor 1000 Traveler (Woodie) I need to comment on that ‘bargain’. If you notice there is some mention of rust in the chassis. That fix is very expensive on a Morris because the chassis is unit construction like a modern car. It can be done but the cost will put you in the Monterey price class for a Morris. The main reason some of these vehicles seem like bargains is because they are rough compared to the cars you see at Monterey. Also Owls head is quite off the beaten path compared to Monterey so they get fewer bidders. I like the Owls Head museum however.

OKJOEsays:

August 28, 2015 2:46 pm

The 1954 Merc was NOT a Cleveland 351, but obviously a Windsor of undermined size. Either a serious fauxpaux, outright misleading or maybe just written by a very uninformed seller. The WHITE is/was AWESOME and surely was THE bargain of the auction. Sold WAY to cheap! BEST vehicle shown, by far! Just try to find another in any condition.